Sequenced chamber wave generator controller and method

ABSTRACT

A wave generating apparatus mobile application controller and method is are provided, in which a mobile controller actuates a plurality of wave generating chambers in sequence using a delay between actuation of each chamber to produce a rideable wave in a pool. The mobile application controller allows the user to select the exact type of wave to be produced by the wave generator apparatus by selecting size, shape, and pattern of the wave. The application also allows the user to use a camera to photograph or record himself or herself or someone else, even while riding a wave.

1.0 TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to wave generators, such as, forexample, wave generators for making waves in pools for recreationalpurposes.

2.0 BACKGROUND

Wave generators are often used for recreational purposes. Wavegenerators create one or more waves in a pool or the like, and peopletypically either play in the waves or use the waves for aquatic sportssuch as board sports. Aquatic board sports, such as surfing andbodyboarding, require that the waves be rideable. Enthusiasts in thesetypes of sports often use wave generators for competition, practice andentertainment.

Existing wave generators typically use wave generating chambers toproduce a wave that travels in a direction where the peak of the wave issubstantially parallel to the chambers and the beach as it travels fromthe chambers toward the beach to the wave generating apparatus, and thewave is produced when the wave generating chambers (either one chamberor multiple chambers) are all activated simultaneously, resulting in thewater being pushed away from the wave generating chambers, which thentravels at an angle away from the chambers. The wave then travels awayfrom the chamber until it reaches the opposite end of the pool, breakingat some point between the wave generating chamber and the opposite endof the pool. The waves that are created from these chambers, however,always require single or multiple chambers to actuate simultaneously inunison. The waves can only be ridden for only a short period of time anddistance because after the wave is created, it begins to decrease inamplitude and quickly becomes unrideable. Japan App. No. 04-037314 (JPOPublication No. 05-202626) discloses a pool that produce waves thattravel in a perpendicular direction from one side toward the other sideof the pool. The side walls of the pool are in a fan shape to allowpersons to ride the wave longer and avoid hitting the wall. Thisapparatus, however, only produces single waves that travelperpendicularly away from generating apparatus until the wave reachesthe opposite end of the pool, and does not teach sequencing. Theapparatus attempts to provide for a longer ride on the wave by simplyangling the walls in a fan shape, but does not compensate for the wavelosing amplitude and strength.

Other types of wave generating pools use a high velocity sheet of watershot over a bed form in the shape of a wave. These are not “true” waves;rather water shaped into a wave. An example includes U.S. Pat. No.5,236,280, which discloses a “Sheet Flow Water Ride.” There are severalshortcoming with this prior art. First, a conventional surf board withfins cannot be used because the fins would extend too deeply into thesheet flow of water and touch the bed form underneath. Second, the bedform is static, such that only one type of “wave” can be produced.

What is needed is an apparatus that overcomes the shortcomings of theprior art, including providing an apparatus that can create a variety ofrideable waves, and further providing the rider the ability to customizethe wave characteristics—including size, shape, and pattern.

3.0 SUMMARY

What is provided herein is an aquatic sports amusement apparatus thatincludes a pool, a plurality of wave generating chambers thatcommunicate with the pool so as to release water into the pool and amobile application controller that operates the chambers, such that eachchamber in the plurality releases water to create waves. The controllercan be connected to the plurality of chambers via a network connection;such a connection could include a local area network, a wirelessnetwork, the internet and/or a virtual private network. The controllercould be at a distant location from the pool and chamber complex, andthe controller may be a smart phone, a personal computer, a personaldigital assistant, a laptop and/or a tablet computer.

The controller also may have a graphical user interface (GUI) with awave creation module, a wave ride module and a viewing module. Throughthese modules, users can create wave profiles and graphically modelthese wave profiles before actually creating the wave. The wave profilescan be shared with others. The GUI may also allow the user to videocapture the wave and may then allow the user to view and share thatvideo with others.

The system can also have a scheduling module to ensure that thecontroller operation of the chambers is based on a single wave profileat a time. This further allows a user to create a wave profile, savethat profile, and schedule a time to create and ride a wave based onthat profile. This minimizes the user's dissatisfaction in waiting forthe wave machine to be available, while maximizing the use of the wavemachine with fewer down periods.

Other aspects of the invention are disclosed herein as discussed in thefollowing Drawings and Detailed Description.

4.0 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingfigures. The components within the figures are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed on clearly illustrating example aspects ofthe invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designatecorresponding parts throughout the different views. It may be understoodthat certain components and details may not appear in the figures toassist in more clearly describing the invention.

FIG. 1 is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generatorapparatus in a wave pool with sixteen chambers.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section of FIG. 1, illustrating one example embodimentof a wave generating chamber in a wave pool.

FIG. 2A is a schematic block diagram of a control system for controllingoperation of the sequencing of delay between actuating each chamber inthe apparatus in FIGS. 1-2.

FIG. 3 is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generatorapparatus in a wave pool before any of the chambers have been actuated.

FIGS. 4-6 are top views of one example embodiment of a wave generatorapparatus in a wave pool showing the chambers being actuated in sequenceto generate waves.

FIG. 7 is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generatorapparatus in a wave pool showing the diamond pattern created during thesequence with the diamond patterns linked at the vertices.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one example embodiment of a wavegenerator apparatus in a wave pool showing a considerably hollow barrelwave pitching away from the chambers that is created from the surgeeffect.

FIG. 9 is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generatorapparatus in a wave pool showing the direction that the wave may travel;

FIGS. 10-11 are top views of one example embodiment of a wave generatorapparatus in a wave pool showing multiple directions that the wave canflow depending on the amount of delay in the sequence;

FIG. 12 is a view from the beach side or the side opposite the wavegenerating chambers of the pool. It shows the progression of the wave asit flows and how the height increases at various instances.

FIG. 13 is a top view of one example embodiment of a wave generatorapparatus in a wave pool with the side wall extending beyond the wavegenerating chambers.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing the size of the wave and the amount of timeit takes the wave to reach that size for a small-scale version of theapparatus with nine chambers.

FIG. 15 illustrates the wave generator apparatus connected to a network,along with mobile application controllers connected to the network.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart that describes the method for controlling thewave generating apparatus from a mobile application controller.

FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment of the step for creating a waveprofile.

FIG. 18 illustrates an embodiment of the step for creating and modifyinga wave profile.

FIG. 19 illustrates an embodiment of the step for creating and modifyinga wave profile.

5.0 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following is a non-limiting written description of example embodimentsillustrating various aspects of the invention. These examples areprovided to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice thefull scope of the invention without having to engage in an undue amountof experimentation. As may be apparent to persons skilled in the art,further modifications and adaptations can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by theclaims.

The apparatus disclosed herein in various example embodiments provides asequenced-chamber wave-generating apparatus that may be adapted for usewith aquatic board sports or any other suitable purpose, such asminiature modeling of wave formations. The apparatus overcomes thedeficiencies in the prior art by creating a surging motion in the poolthat changes the characteristics of the waves to create a considerablyhollow barreling wave. The flow of water created by thepresently-disclosed sequencing can resemble a diamond pattern and,additionally, patterns such as diamonds linked at the vertices. Thesepatterns effectively reduce the depth of the water between successivewaves, which causes them to pitch away from the chambers and create aconsiderably hollow barrel. Additionally, the wave may travel in adirection that is not perpendicular to the wave generating apparatus,such that the wave strength continues to be replenished as the wavesmove across the pool. These are only two examples of waves that the wavegenerator apparatus may produce.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a wave generator apparatus,which comprises a pool or container 50, a body of water 52, a pluralityof wave generating chambers 54 (each chamber is individually numbered1-16), and a controller 62 to operate the chambers 54. In this exampleembodiment, there are sixteen wave generating chambers 54. Althoughthere is no specifically required number of wave generating chambers 54(other example embodiments include twenty-four and thirty-two chambers,for instance), too few chambers 54 in the apparatus may not be able toproduce sufficient resolution to create a wave that can be ridden. Inone example embodiment, each chamber is 10 feet by 5 feet by 3 feet,giving each chamber a capacity of 150 cubic feet. Other exampleembodiments may have wave generating chambers as big as 260 cubic feetor more. It would be apparent to those skilled in the art to modify thesize and water displacement of the chambers as needed for specificapplications.

The pool 50 may be rectangular shaped and holds the body of water 52.The pool 50 has a first end 58, a second end 60, two sides 44, 46, and afloor 36. The first end 58 is comprised of a plurality of chambers 54adjacent to one another and the second end 60 is at the opposite end ofthe pool 50, where the beach 42 is located. The two sides 44, 46 are atopposite ends of the pool 50. The first end 58, second end 60, and twosides 44, 46 act as walls for pool 50 to contain the body of water 52along with the floor 36 that is under the body of water 52. The body ofwater 52 rests in the pool 50 and may be in a still state until thechambers 54 begin to actuate in sequence to create a wave using the bodyof water 52 in the pool 50.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example embodiment of a single wave generatingchamber 54, which can comprise a chamber space 56 having a back wall 18,an upper wall 20, and a reflecting wall 22 at the rear wall of the poolthat faces the body of water 52 in the pool 50. An example may be thatof U.S. Pat. No. 7,815,396 to McFarland, the same inventor of thepresent application, and the contents of that patent are incorporatedherein by reference. A passageway 30 at the lower end of wall 22 allowscommunication of water between the chamber 54 and the body of water 52in the pool. A mechanical two-way valve 24 may be located in passageway30.

The chambers 54 may be connected to an air supply through an inlet valve26 located close to the upper end of the chamber back wall 18 and mayalso be connected to a vent valve 28 in the upper wall 32, which may beconnected to a vacuum pump. The floor 36 of the pool may have a first,upwardly inclined portion 38 extending from passageway 30 away from thewave reflecting wall 22, a generally flat portion 40, and an upwardlyinclined portion or beach 42 at the opposite, second end 60 of the pool50.

In operation of this example embodiment, the chamber 54 is first filledwith air through valve 26, thereby displacing water into the pool 50.Valve 26 is then closed and the chamber air is vented suddenly throughvent valve 28, causing the water 52 to flow from the pool 50 throughpassageway 30 into the now empty space 56 in the chamber 54. The waterlevel in pool drops suddenly, creating a depression or trough in thewater that reflects against the back or wave reflecting wall 22 of thepool 50. This creates a circulating motion of the water, which isenhanced by the design of the back wall 22. The vent valve 28 in the airchamber is shut at the proper time to prevent immediate water resurgenceback into the pool 50, which enhances the second trough behind the peak.The mechanical two-way valve 24 can also be used to prevent immediateresurgence. The water valve 24 may be closed during the initial air fillphase to create a larger air volume in the chamber, which, whenreleased, creates a larger depression in the pool. Alternatively, theair valve 26 can rapidly supply pressurized air to the chamber after thechamber is filled with water to push water out and amplify the wavepeak. This process of pushing water out of the chamber and into the poolis known as releasing water. Alternatively, the vent valve 28 may beconnected to a vacuum source such as a vacuum pump, or may be a ventoutlet connected via suitable valving either to atmosphere or to avacuum source.

As illustrated schematically in FIG. 2A, the electronic controller 62may be electrically connected with the valves 26, 28 and 24 in order tocontrol the operation in the manner described above. The controller 62may control this operation for each chamber, such that the controller 62actuates each of the chambers in sequence. The controller 62 may beginby actuating the first chamber or the first set of chambers in theplurality. After a predetermined delay, the controller 62 actuates thesecond chamber or second set of chambers in the plurality, and, afteranother predetermined delay, actuates the third chamber or third set ofchambers in the plurality. This may continue for a fourth chamber orfourth set of chambers, or any number of additional chambers or set ofchambers. The controller 62 continues actuating each chamber in theplurality after a delay. FIG. 2A illustrates that the controller 62controls the valves in each chamber so that after actuating the firstchamber or first set of chambers, it can control the valves in thatchamber or set of chambers and, after a delay, actuate the secondchamber or second set of chambers and control its valves. The controller62 can actuate each chamber in sequence after a delay and control thevalves.

5.1 Diamond Pattern Waves

The wave generator apparatus has the ability to create waves where thepeak of the wave travels in a direction where the peak of the wave issubstantially parallel to the chambers 54 and the beach 42 as it travelsfrom the chambers 54 toward the beach 42. The peak of the wave isdefined as the highest water level in the pool. The direction the peaktravels is the path that the peak of the wave flows during the life ofthe wave.

To create the wave, the controller 62 may actuate the chambers 54 in asequence with a delay between actuating each chamber or set of chambers54, as described above. The delay is approximately a fraction of thechamber period. In the present example embodiment as seen in FIGS. 3-6,nine chambers 1-9 are used to produce a wave that can be ridden, wherethe peak of the wave is substantially parallel to the chambers 54 andthe beach 42 as it travels from the chambers 54 toward the beach 42.

The wave is created by a surging motion in the pool 50 that changes thecharacteristics of the waves to create a considerably hollow barrelingwave. As seen in FIG. 7, the flow of water created by the sequenceresembles a diamond pattern and additional patterns would resemblediamonds linked at the vertices. This pattern effectively reduces thedepth of the water in the pool 50 between successive waves, which causethe waves to pitch away from the chambers and create a considerablyhollow barrel, as seen in FIG. 8.

By way of example, the sequence may begin with chambers 54 on the edgesof the pool to initiate the first wave segment 105 shown in FIG. 4.Chambers 1-2 and 8-9 actuate to begin the sequence. After the delay, asecond wave segment 110 shown in FIG. 5 is generated in the sequencefrom center chambers between the edge segments (i.e., actuating chambers3-7). The sequence continues to actuate the chambers to generate thefirst and second wave segment steps using the same delay. Therefore, thechambers operate in sequence, not all in unison.

This sequence creates the surging effect 115 in the pool 50 that createsbarreling waves that are more hollow, i.e. the barrel-shaped wave 120preferred by wave riding enthusiasts, as seen in FIG. 8. In otherembodiments, the sequence can begin with the inner chambers and continuewith the outer chambers. For example, the sequence may begin the withchambers 54 in the center of the pool initiating a first wave segment.Chambers 3-7 could actuate to begin the sequence. After the delay, asecond wave segment may be generated in the sequence from both sides ofthe first, center wave segment. This could be chambers 1-2 and 8-9.After a delay of the same or similar length, a third wave segment couldbe generated in the sequence from chambers 3-7, for instance. In eitherexample embodiment, the sequence may continue to actuate the chambers togenerate the second and third wave segment steps using the same orsimilar delay. Also, each segment can be produced by a single chamber ortwo or more chambers, and the sequence can include more than twosegments.

Moreover, when multiple adjacent chambers 54 actuate during eachsegment, there can be a secondary delay for each chamber. For instance,using the example sequence seen in FIGS. 4-5, during segment one,chambers 1-2 and 8-9 will all actuate using the primary delay, but withthe secondary delay, they do not have to all actuate simultaneously. Thesecondary delay can actuate chambers 2 and 8 at a very slight delayafter chambers 1 and 9 actuate. This secondary delay can be sequencedwith any chambers within the primary delay sequence.

This type of sequencing can produce waves where the peak of the wave issubstantially parallel to the chambers 54 and the beach 42 as it travelsfrom the chambers 54 toward the beach 42. As seen in FIG. 7, the patternof the waves may resemble diamonds from a top view, and additionalpatterns may resemble diamonds linked at the vertices. The diamondeffect is a result of the multiple wave segments generated in thesequence. This diamond pattern 125 creates a surging motion 115 in theentire pool 50 due to the sequence creating multiple waves 105, 110. Thesurging motion changes the breaking characteristics of waves' naturalflow. Indeed, the diamond pattern 125 reduces the depth of the waterbetween successive waves because the previous wave will push the wateraway from the chambers 54 and towards the beach end 42. This causeswaves to pitch away from the chambers 54 and create a considerablyhollow barrel 120. Additionally, the surge 115 interacts with the wave110 near the end of its break, which increases the wave height oramplitude, just as backwash interacts with waves in the ocean.

The fraction of delay between actuating each chamber 54 or set ofchambers may be proportional to the chamber period. The chamber periodis the time it takes a chamber to release the water and refill to thepredetermined level. To refill, the chamber 54 may permit a fixed amountof water, if any, to reenter the chamber 54. When a chamber completesits period, the chamber is prepared to actuate again. To produce waveswhere the peak of the wave is substantially parallel to the chambers 54and the beach 42 as it travels from the chambers 54 toward the beach 42,the controller operation may actuate each chamber 54 or set of chambers,using a delay, in sequenced fashion. For example, just after the firstsegment (first chamber or first set of chambers) completes the waveproduction portion of its period, the controller 62 may actuate thesecond segment (second chamber or second set of chambers), and it beginsits period. This sequence may be repeated with each segment (chamber orset of chambers) using the same or similar delay, with the controller 62operating the sequencing.

The controller 62 operates the sequenced fashion or sequencing, whichcomprises having each chamber in the plurality actuating after a delayand completing a chamber period. The chamber period that is used as thedelay by the controller 62 may be approximately one chamber period. Theamount of delay in the sequence can be adjusted to as low as 0.10 of achamber period to adjust the amplitude of the wave and the direction thepeak may travel. The delay may be more than one chamber period. Also,the delay may vary between adjacent chambers.

When a chamber 54 or set of chambers has completed the process ofpushing out the water or air needed to create a wave (for example, afterhalf of the entire chamber period), the subsequent chamber or set ofchambers can activate in the sequence. This allows the waves to continueto flow and create a surging effect. For example, in the exampleembodiment shown in FIGS. 4-5, each chamber period may be completed intwo seconds. Therefore, the delay in the sequence would be set at onesecond, which is half of the chamber period. When each segment iscompleted, a new wave segment is then produced in sequence. While thisexample uses half of the chamber period as the delay in the sequence,similar sequences may be created with timing delays that are sequencedto actuate a chamber 54 or set of chambers during or soon after theprevious chamber's or set of chambers' period.

The amplitude or height of the peak 130 of the wave 110 createdgenerally depends on the size of the wave generating apparatus. However,the surge that is created using the present system increases the heightof the wave over other designs because the surge 115 interacts with thewave 110 near the end of its break, as shown in FIG. 8, e.g. barrelingperspective view following the sequence in FIG. 6. This interactionpushes the wave up to create a higher, bigger wave that tends to havedesirable barreling characteristics.

5.2 Wave Peak that Travels in a Direction not Perpendicular to the WaveGenerating Apparatus

The wave generator apparatus has the ability to create waves where thepeak of the wave travels in a direction that is not substantiallyperpendicularly to the ends of the pool and the chambers, as illustratedin FIG. 9. The peak of the wave is defined as the highest water level inthe pool. The direction the peak travels is the path that the peak ofthe wave flows during the life of the wave. Although the wave may reachthe beach end 42 of the pool opposite the chambers, the wave peak maycontinue to travel in a direction that is not perpendicular to thechambers 54.

To create a wave where the peak travels in a direction that is notsubstantially perpendicularly to the chambers 54, the controller 62 mayactuate the chambers 54 in a sequence with a delay between actuatingeach chamber, as described above. The delay is approximately a fractionof the chamber period. In the present example embodiment, sixteenchambers 1-16 are used to produce a wave that can be ridden, and thepeak travels not substantially perpendicularly to the chambers 54 in thedirection A.

The sequence starts with chamber 1 and continues sequentially (in lowestto highest numerical order of the chambers) down the plurality ofchambers, which determines the direction of the wave. The wave breaksnearly right out of the chamber, and the break of the wave allows thepeak to travel in a direction not substantially perpendicularly to thechambers. Thus, a rider is able to ride the wave over much of the pool'swater surface area. The peak continues until it reaches the side 44 ofthe pool 50. Although the path that the peak of the wave travels is notexactly parallel to the chambers 54, the pool may be constructed suchthat the peak may reach the side wall 44 before the peak could reach theopposite, beach end 42 of the pool. As each chamber actuates, theapparatus replenishes the wave to continue its momentum such that thewave can continue to be ridden.

Immediately after a chamber 54 is activated, it creates a trough in thebody of water 52 by allowing the water to enter the chamber space 56.The trough is created outside of the chamber 54 where the water enteredthe chamber 54. When the chamber 54 pushes or releases the water out tocreate a wave, the water flows into the area previously vacated and isnow a trough. The sequencing allows the wave to travel not substantiallyperpendicularly to the chamber 54 and to break to create a wave.

The fraction of delay between actuating each chamber may be proportionalto the chamber period. The chamber period is the time it takes a chamberto release the water and refill to the predetermined level. To refill,the chamber 54 may permit a fixed amount of water, if any, to reenterthe chamber 54. When a chamber completes its period, the chamber isprepared to actuate again. To create a peak that travels notsubstantially perpendicularly to the chambers 54, in the direction of A,the controller operation may actuate each chamber, using a delay, in asequenced fashion. For example, while chamber 1 is in the waveproduction portion of its period, the controller 62 actuates chamber 2and begins its period. This sequence is repeated with each chamber usingthe same delay, with the controller 62 operating the sequencing.

The controller operates the sequenced fashion or sequencing, whichcomprises each chamber in the plurality actuating after a delay andcompleting a chamber period. The fraction of the chamber period that isused as the delay by the controller 62 is approximately between 0.75 and0.10. The amount of delay in the sequence can be adjusted within thisrange to adjust the amplitude of the wave and the direction the peak maytravel. Also, the delay may vary between adjacent chambers.

By way of example only, a delay of 0.25 can create a wave traveling indirection A as illustrated in FIG. 9. The 0.25 delay means that thecontroller 62 may actuate chamber 2 when chamber 1 has completed 0.25 ofits chamber period. Likewise, the controller 62 may actuate chamber 3when chamber 2 has completed 0.25 of its chamber period. This delay maycontinue throughout the entire sequence.

When a chamber 54 is half of the way completed with the process ofpushing out the water or air needed to create a wave (i.e., 0.25 of theentire chamber period), the subsequent chamber can activate in thesequence. This allows the wave to continue in the desired direction A.For example, in the example embodiment in FIG. 9, each chamber period iscompleted in four seconds. Therefore, the delay in the sequence would beset at one second, which is 0.25 of the chamber period. When the entiresequence is completed, a new wave can then be produced using the samesequence. While this example uses 0.25 of the chamber period as thedelay in the sequence, similar waves can be created with timing delaysthat are sequenced to actuate a chamber 54 while the previous chamber 54is in the process of the wave generating phase of the chamber period.

The amplitude or height of the peak of the wave created generallydepends on the size of the wave generating apparatus. However, usingthis sequencing method, the peak traveling in the direction A has anamplitude of nearly twice that of the peak traveling perpendicularly tothe chambers 54 in the direction C. The peak of the wave may increase asit builds through the first few chambers in the sequence until itreaches its maximum height. For example, using chambers 54 that are 150cubic feet, the wave reaches about six feet in height. Conversely, awave without sequencing that travels in a direction perpendicular to thewave generating chambers 54, in the direction C, may reach a height ofabout three feet.

For example, using a small version of the wave generating apparatus withonly nine chambers yielded the results presented in FIG. 14. When asequence with 0.25 delay is performed, a trough is created at 0.5seconds, and the wave dramatically starts to build at 0.75 seconds,which is roughly when the third chamber is actuated. The wave has a peakof 2 inches at this point, which is a dramatic increase from 0.5 secondswhen the wave size was 0 inches. At about 1.25 seconds, the wave startsto crest just past the third chamber, when the peak reaches 2.5 inches.The wave's peak heightens to 3 inches when it reaches the fourthchamber. This occurs at 1.5 seconds, which coincides with when the sixthchamber is actuated by the controller 62. At 2 seconds, the peak reachesits maximum height of 3.2 inches. Conversely, a wave travelingperpendicularly to the chambers 54 has a maximum peak height of only 2inches.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the wave increases in height as it continuesto flow, and the chambers 54 continue to push the wave. The wave sizeincreases as a result of each chamber 54 releasing water into the pool,which pushes into the same piece of wave, causing it to amplify. Thesame piece of wave is pushed when each chamber actuates. This processcontinues through the beginning portion of the sequence with the firstfew chambers until the wave reaches its maximum height. If there are toofew chambers 54, the wave may not be smooth enough to ride. Likewise, ifthe chambers 54 produce a wave too big, it may be too choppy and notsmooth enough to ride.

The direction of the peak is determined by the delay in the sequencingof the chambers. FIG. 10 illustrates the different directions the peakcan travel depending on the delay between the chambers. For example, ifthere is no delay and each chamber 54 actuates at the same time, thepeak may travel perpendicularly to the chambers in the direction Ctowards the beach 42. When the controller 62 uses sequencing for a delaybetween each chamber 54, the peak may travel in more of an angleddirection in order of the sequence. Here (in FIG. 10), the sequencestarts with chamber 1 actuating, then chamber 2, then chamber 3, andcontinuing down the plurality of chambers 54 until chamber 16 actuates.The peak may flow towards the side 44 when this sequence continues.

An increase in the delay sequence may cause the peak to travel in adirection that is more angled towards the side 44. For example, ashortened delay in the sequence would result in the peak traveling inthe direction B, which flows more towards the side 44. When increasingthe delay even more, the peak can travel not substantiallyperpendicularly to the chambers 54 towards the side 44 in the directionA.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the peak can also travel in the otherdirection towards side 46. To do so, the sequence would have to start atchamber 16 and end at chamber 1. A shortened delay between thecontroller 62 actuating the chambers may result in the peak traveling insomewhat of an angle towards side 46, in the direction E. A longer delaybetween the controller 62 actuating the chambers can result in the peaktraveling not substantially perpendicularly to the chambers in thedirection D, towards side 46. Also, chambers 16 and 1 could be actuatedat the same time, then the adjacent chamber could be actuated after adelay, and so on, such that two wave peaks are created, one moving inthe direction D (FIG. 11), and one moving in the direction A (FIG. 10).

FIG. 13 illustrates an example embodiment where the pool 52 extendsbeyond the chambers 54. This allows the wave to continue to travel afterthe sequence is complete, thus allowing a rider more time to ride thecreated wave.

5.3 System for Controlling the Wave Generator Apparatus

As discussed above, the wave generator can produce a variety of wavesbecause of the sequencing of the individual chambers by the controller.The controller has until now been described as residing at the wavegenerator facility. This, however, need not be the case. The wavegenerator apparatus may actually be controlled by the user through amobile application controller. The mobile application controller may beused on a variety of platforms, such as smartphones (e.g., iPhone,Droid, etc.), tablets (e.g., iPad, Nexus, etc.), laptops, personaldigital assistants and personal computers. Referring to FIG. 15, thecontroller 1510 of the wave generator apparatus 1505 may be connected tothe internet, a local area network (“LAN”), a virtual private network,and/or a wireless network 1515, and the mobile application controllers1520 and 1525 can actually create wave profiles and control the wavegenerator apparatus 1505. By operating the mobile applicationcontrollers 1520 and 1525, users can now create their own wave profiles,download those profiles to the wave generator apparatus 1505 through theinternet or LAN 1515, produce the actual wave and ride that wave. Neverbefore has a user been able to create a wave and ride that wave. Nowthey can.

In one embodiment, the interface on the mobile application controllermay include a custom wave profile creator. The user may customize thelag between the chambers of the wave generator apparatus, customize theactuation of chambers, customize the sequence of actuation, andexperiment with different wave creations. The interface may also includea wave modeling screen such that the user can see what the customizedwave profile would look like prior to communicating the wave profile tothe controller 1410 and producing an actual wave on the wave generatorapparatus 1405. The user, therefore, can create precisely the wave hedesires. Moreover, the user can save the customized wave profiles, suchthat when the user arrives at the wave generator apparatus, the user canselect that wave profile, execute the profile on the apparatus and ridethe wave. Alternatively, the user can create a wave profile and actuatethe wave generator apparatus remotely for someone else to ride—imaginecreating a custom wave and having a professional surfer ride yourcreation.

One embodiment of the system is shown in FIG. 16. In the first step1605, the user can enter a username and password so as to retrieveprevious wave profiles and videos the user has made. The login step ispreferable, but optional. After login, the user is asked at step 1610what action he would like to take: enter the wave creation module 1611to create a wave, enter the viewing module 1612 to view a wavevideo/photograph or enter the wave ride module 1613 to ride a wave.

If the user selects to create a wave profile, the system enters the wavecreation module 1611 and proceeds to step 1615. The details for thisstep will be discussed below with reference to FIGS. 17-19. It shouldfurther be noted that the user at step 1615 may select a previouslysaved profile or a shared profile to modify. The user may also select apreset profile that the system may offer, and modify that profile. Thisis discussed in greater detail below. Since this is a system wheremultiple devices can be used, the user may have created a wave profileon his personal computer and saved that profile; however, when hearrives at that wave generating facility, he may want to make some finaltweaks to the wave profile on his smart phone. The system allows forthis flexibility. After creating the wave profile, the user has theoption at step 1620 to have the application render a computer model ofthe wave profile to fully visualize what the wave will look like (seestep 1620). This is an optional, but preferable step in the system. Theuser then may choose to modify the wave profile by returning to step1615 or save the wave profile at step 1630. The system may then ask atstep 1635 whether the user would like to share this profile withanother, and if the user so desires, the user would enter the emailaddress or other identifying information at step 1640 such that thesystem can transmit the wave profile to that third party. The systemwould then request whether the user would like to create another waveprofile at step 1645, and if so, the user is returned to step 1615;otherwise, the user may return to step 1610, or may simply log out.

If the user selects at step 1610 to view a video, the system enters theviewing module 1612, and the user must then select which video he wouldlike to view at step 1650. These videos could include videos taken ofthe user riding a particular wave, or videos of third parties ridingwaves that have been shared with the user. After viewing the video, thesystem may then ask at step 1660 whether the user would like to sharethis video with another, and if the user so desires, the user wouldenter the email address or other identifying information at step 1665such that the system can transmit the wave video to that third party.Optionally, the system can allow users to assign sharing rights, suchthat a video from a third party cannot be shared if that third party sochooses. The system would then request whether the user would like toview another wave video at step 1670, and if so, the user is returned tostep 1650; otherwise, the user may return to step 1610, or may simplylog out. It should be noted that the language used herein is for avideo; however, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art thatstill frame photographs could be captured and used in the system.

If the user selects at step 1610 to ride a wave, the system enters thewave ride module, and the user must then select which wave he would liketo ride at step 1675. The user must also select or determine the wavegenerating facility on which the selected wave will be produced andridden. This is shown at step 1680 and may be accomplished in a numberof ways, including a pull-down menu on the mobile applicationcontroller. Another non-limiting example is that the mobile applicationcontroller could use GPS or the network identification codes toautomatically determine which facility is closest and use that facilityas the one to create the wave. At step 1682, the user may also at thistime schedule a time with the wave generating facility so that he doesnot needlessly wait for his opportunity to ride the wave. Afterselecting the wave, the user may optionally be asked whether he wouldlike to have the ride videotaped (or photographed) at step 1685. If so,the user should then determine which camera or cameras should be used.For example, the wave generator facility may have cameras available, andthe user's mobile application controller may also have a camera. Afterselecting the cameras, the user may then actuate the wave generatorapparatus based on the selected wave profile. Then the system wouldassociate the wave profile with the video or photographs and post thosevideos for later viewing and/or sharing at steps 1694 and 1696. Thesystem would then request whether the user would like to ride anotherwave at step 1699, and if so, the user is returned to step 1675;otherwise, the user may return to step 1610, or may simply log out.

It should be noted that the wave profile can be transmitted and actuatedby a user that is remote to the wave generating facility. This featurecould be used, for example, to allow surfing fans to create waves forprofessional surfers to ride. The fan could see the wave ridden in realtime. There are countless promotional activities that can be realizedusing this user-defined, remotely actuated, custom wave creation. Itshould also be noted that it is not intended that the modules and stepsdetailed above be in precisely the order described. The order detailedis simply to illustrate the various features of the system.

Turning now to FIG. 17, the steps in creating the wave profile will bediscussed. In one embodiment, the system may allow the user to selectonly three attributes of the wave profile—i.e., (1) size, (2) shape, and(3) pattern (i.e., location/direction and peak number). For example, atstep 1705, the user would select the size of the wave from small, mediumor large. Then at step 1710, the user selects the shape of the wave:mushy or hollow. And finally, at step 1715, the user selects the patternof the wave (i.e., direction, location and number of wave peaks): lefttraveling, right traveling, center peak, double peak, triple peak andetc. Each of these selections may be discrete, but the graphical userinterface of the system may provide a slider such that these selectionsare more continuous across a range. After making these selections, theuser may view a computer rendering of the wave profile at step 1620.

FIG. 18 provides a more complex interface that a user may use to createa wave profile. The user may, for example, select a present waveprofile, or may use the interface described with reference to FIG. 17 tocreate a wave profile. The interface could then represent that waveprofile on a two-dimensional graph 1805 with the chamber numbers on oneaxis 1810 and time on the other axis 1815. The wave profile may berepresented as a number of blocks 1820, wherein the left size of theblock represents the time along the time axis when that particularchamber is actuated, and the length of the block is the magnitude of thewater expelled by that particular chamber. So, the present wave profileof blocks 1820 provides instructions to actuate first chamber 1; then,after a delay, chamber 2; then, after a delay, chamber 3; then, after adelay, chamber 4; and, finally, after a delay, chamber 5. Each actuationof each chamber is of the same magnitude. The user may then choose toadd other chambers to actuate. For example, on a smartphone application,this may entail touching an icon of a block 1825 and dragging it (asshown by the arrow 1830) to an appropriate location to actuate chamber6. After making these selections, the user may view a computer renderingof the wave profile at step 1620.

FIG. 19 illustrates that not only can the user add new chamberactuations, but the user can also move, modify and delete existingchamber actuations. Again, the user as shown in FIG. 19 starts with aprofile shown by the gray blocks, with chambers 1 and 9 actuatingsimultaneously, then after a delay chambers 8 and 2 actuatingsimultaneously, then after a delay chambers 7 and 3 actuatingsimultaneously, then after a delay chambers 6 and 4 actuatingsimultaneously and, finally, after a delay chamber 5 actuating. The usermay choose to delay the actuation of chamber 9 by moving the block alongthe arrow labeled 1905. The user also chooses to delay the actuation ofchamber 8 by moving the block along the arrow labeled 1910. The useralso shortens the length of the actuation block of chamber 8 (shown atposition 1915) so that chamber 8 will not expel as much water asotherwise. The user also desires to add an actuation of chamber 7 withthe same magnitude as that of chamber 8, as shown at position 1920.Finally, the user adds a larger magnitude actuation of chamber 6 atposition 1925. The interface may accomplish these movements,modifications and deletions by allowing the user to drag existingactuations blocks to new locations, and by allowing a user to modify themagnitude of a block by touching that block on the screen and settingthe size (with the size of zero representing a deletion). After makingthese selections, the user may view a computer rendering of the waveprofile at step 1620.

As described above, several users can share their wave profiles. Forexample, if a professional surfer creates a particular wave profile,other can following in their footsteps and attempt to ride that wave.This creates a community of surfers and promotes competition, which isvery much alive in the surfing community. Users can also attempt toimprove upon wave profiles that have been shared.

The system may also have a scheduling module such that a user can createand submit a particular wave profile and schedule a time to ride thatwave. This is shown in FIG. 16 step 1682. This minimizes the user'sdissatisfaction in waiting for the wave machine to be available, whilemaximizing the use of the wave machine with fewer down periods.

The above description of the disclosed example embodiments is providedto enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention.Various modifications to these example embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principlesdescribed herein can be applied to other example embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to beunderstood that the description and drawings presented herein representa presently preferred example embodiment of the invention and aretherefore representative of the subject matter which is broadlycontemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that thescope of the present invention fully encompasses other exampleembodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and thatthe scope of the present invention is accordingly limited by nothingother than the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An aquatic sports amusement apparatus,comprising: a pool; a plurality of wave generating chambers thatcommunicate with the pool so as to release water into the pool, whereina first chamber in the plurality is on the edge of the plurality ofchambers such that it is adjacent to only one other wave chamber in theplurality, and the first chamber releases water into the pool in a firstdirection, wherein the first chamber has a width; wherein the poolcomprises a region that extends perpendicular to the first directionaway from the plurality of wave generating chambers at least one chamberwidth, the region is adjacent to the first chamber; each of theplurality of chambers having a valve structure, wherein each valvestructure is connected to a controller wherein the connection isconstructed to allow for the actuation of each valve structureindependently of the other valve structures; and wherein the controllerconnects to the plurality of chambers; and wherein the controlleroperation of the chambers comprises the following steps: a. actuatingthe valve structure of a first chamber or valve structures of a firstset of chambers in the plurality to release water into the pool, duringstep (a) the valve structure of a second chamber or the valve structuresof a second set of chambers of the plurality are actuated so as toprevent the release water into the pool; and b. after a delay, actuatingthe valve structure of the second chamber or the valve structures of thesecond set of chambers in the plurality to release water into the pool;wherein the release of water into the pool creates a wave that comprisesa peak defined as the highest water level in the pool and the peaktravels in a second direction that is not substantially parallel tofirst direction, wherein the peak can be ridden by a user into theregion.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller connects tothe plurality of chambers via a network connection, and the networkconnection is selected from a group consisting of a local area network,a wireless network, the internet and a virtual private network.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the pool and chambers are located a onelocation and the controller is at least partially located at a secondlocation, wherein the first location and second location are separatedby at least one mile.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is selected from a group consisting of a smart phone,personal computer, personal digital assistant, laptop and tabletcomputer.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is acomputing device that comprises a graphical user interface (GUI), theGUI further comprises a wave creation module adapted to create a waveprofile.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the GUI is further adaptedto graphically model a wave profile.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5,wherein the wave creation module is adapted to share the wave profilewith another user.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controlleris a computing device that comprises a graphical user interface (GUI),the GUI adapted to capture data selected from the group consisting ofvideo, audio and photographs.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is a computing device that comprises a graphical userinterface (GUI), the GUI adapted to share data selected from the groupconsisting of video, audio and photographs with another user.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is a computing device thatcomprises a graphical user interface (GUI), the GUI further comprises awave ride module wherein a user selects a wave profile and thecontroller operation of the chambers is based on the wave profile. 11.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a pluralityof computing devices.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, where eachcomputing device in the plurality of computing devices is controlled bya different user, and the controller comprises a scheduling module suchthat the controller operation of the chambers is based on a single waveprofile at a time.
 13. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the GUI isoperated by dragging and dropping icons.
 14. The apparatus of claim 5wherein the GUI represents the chambers as icons and the icons can bemoved along an axis of time, wherein the position of the icons along theaxis of time represents the sequence of actuations of the chambers. 15.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the valve structure comprises a gassupply valve, a vent valve and a water valve, and the vent valve isconnected to a vacuum.
 16. An aquatic sports amusement apparatus,comprising: a pool; a plurality of wave generating structures thatcommunicate with the pool so as to push water into the pool, wherein afirst structure in the plurality is on the edge of the plurality ofstructures such that it is adjacent to only one other wave generatingstructure in the plurality, and the first structure pushes water intothe pool in a first direction, wherein the first structure has a width;wherein the pool comprises a region that extends perpendicular to thefirst direction away from the plurality of wave generating structures atleast one structure width, the region is adjacent to the firststructure; each of the plurality of structures connected to a controllerwherein the connection is constructed to allow for the actuation of eachwave generating structure independently of the other structures; andwherein the controller operation of the structures comprises thefollowing steps: a. actuating the first structure or structures of afirst set of structures in the plurality to push water into the pool,during step (a) a second structure or the structures of a second set ofstructures of the plurality are controlled so as to prevent the pushingof water into the pool; and b. after a delay, actuating the secondstructure or the structures of the second set of structures in theplurality to push water into the pool; wherein the pushing of water intothe pool creates a wave that comprises a peak defined as the highestwater level in the pool and the peak travels in a second direction thatis not substantially parallel to first direction, wherein the peak canbe ridden by a user into the region.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16,wherein the controller connects to the plurality of structures via anetwork connection, and the network connection is selected from a groupconsisting of a local area network, a wireless network, the internet anda virtual private network.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein thepool and structures are located a one location and the controller is atleast partially located at a second location, wherein the first locationand second location are separated by at least one mile.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 16, wherein the controller is selected from a groupconsisting of a smart phone, personal computer, personal digitalassistant, laptop and tablet computer.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16,wherein the controller is a computing device that comprises a graphicaluser interface (GUI), the GUI further comprises a wave creation moduleadapted to create a wave profile.